Driveway Repair And Maintenance Tips

Learn Some Crucial Driveway Repair and Maintenance Insight

Understanding how to deal with driveway repair and upkeep could save you money and time.

Don't Use Harsh Chemicals on the Driveway

There are some chemicals, such as those that are used to melt ice, that people commonly use on their driveways and think that doing so won't cause any harm. In reality though, many household chemical treatments aren't made for your driveway, and they can damage the surface of the driveway, especially if left there over long periods of time. To avoid getting in a situation where you feel compelled to use a chemical product that melts ice from your driveway, consider treating the surface with salt before the precipitation happens so the driveway won't be as slippery.

Promptly Fix Cracks With Sealant

Certain types of driveway materials, such as concrete, can be well protected by using a topical sealant. If your driveway gets normal levels of traffic because it's associated with a residence, you can apply sealant to the driveway every couple of years. However, if you are handling maintenance for a driveway at a commercial business, you'll probably need to apply the sealant more frequently. Sealant is also an important factor related to concrete driveway repair. If you notice cracks starting to form, treat those with sealant right away. Normally, sealant acts as a preventative measure that makes the surface more resistant to cracks, but it can also make existing cracks less likely to get worse.

Consider Changing the Material

Asphalt is a driveway material that tends to look great when it's first installed but can quickly look worn, especially if not properly maintained. Perhaps you had an asphalt driveway when you moved into the property and now want to remodel the area so it includes a new driveway surface. Gravel is a very popular option that's generally easy to maintain. Alternatively, maybe you have researched driveway paving cost details and would really like a concrete driveway. If you're in doubt about what kind of new material to go with, talk to driveway contractors and let them know the kinds of concerns you have surrounding your driveway.

Keep the Driveway Free of Debris

Regardless of the kind of driveway you have, it's smart to keep the area free of things like leaves, stray rocks and pine needles. This not only improves the look of your driveway but could make it easier to clean, especially if you have a driveway made out of bricks or another material that features small crevices. Without regular sweeping, dirt and mud could get packed down into the small gaps and become much harder to remove.

Be Careful When Using Pressure Washers

Many people with good intentions are under the impression that pressure washers are a quick and easy way to clean their driveways. However, pressure washers can sometimes cause damage to particular types of driveways, such as those made from concrete. If you don't take care to refrain from using excessive pressure during the cleaning process, you may end up having to pay for concrete driveway repair.

Clean Up Spills Quickly

Some liquids, such as motor oil and gasoline, can damage certain surfaces like asphalt. That's why you need to wipe up spills as soon as you notice them as part of driveway repair and maintenance. In the best case scenario, the spill won't cause damage, but you may find it discolors your driveway or harms it in another way if you just let the spilled liquid remain on the driveway.

Establish a Relationship with Driveway Contractors

Even if your driveway is in relatively good condition now, you never know when that could change. That's why it's a good idea to be proactive and get to know at least one team of driveway contractors in your community. These specialists help customers with a wide variety of needs by assisting them in paving driveway areas, fixing potholes and replacing materials that have become too worn. You could simply contact a company and explain how you view your driveway as a long-term investment and want to do everything you can to keep it functional over time. Because driveway experts see so many clients through the course of their work, they're skilled at spotting things that could become problematic if not tackled early. They can also offer suggestions of things that could be done so that issues you've already experienced in relation to your driveway don't happen again. For example, paving driveway areas with new material may be the only option if you have a gaping hole in the concrete, but it may also be determined that there was something specific that caused the hole to form that may be within your control for the future. In that respect, you may find that your concrete experts are some of the best resources available when it comes to driveway repair and maintenance. It's also wise to get in touch with contractors when you know that in order to properly maintain or fix your driveway, you can't do everything on your own. They can answer a question you might have about driveway paving cost estimates or give you a general time frame associated with doing a certain type of repair. Because many people travel across their driveways multiple times per day, it gives individuals peace of mind to know approximately how long it should be before jobs are finished and their driveways look as good as new with driveway repair and maintenance.